IOWME's roots date back to 1976, when a special meeting was arranged during the course of the Third International Congress on Mathematical Education (ICME-3) to discuss the issue of "Women and Mathematics". IOWME was formed as a result of that discussion and the group had its inaugural meeting at ICME-4. IOWME became an Affiliated Study Group of the International Commission on Mathematical Instruction (ICMI) in 1987 and continues as such today.

Since its inception, IOWME has been dedicated to:

providing a forum for those interested in the relationship between gender and mathematics;

providing current information on research and curriculum development concerning gender and mathematics;

encouraging and disseminating research related to:

women's participation in mathematics, science, and technology;

factors influencing participation rates and the quality of teaching mathematics, science, and technology;

strategies and programs designed to increase the participation of women in the mathematical sciences.

The members meet once every four years at ICME and in between keep in touch through a lively newsletter which is published on IOWME website .